The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grappling with fresh internal tensions just weeks before its highly anticipated national convention. A coalition of prominent party stakeholders, spearheaded by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has presented a six-point demand to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

 

The demands were formally outlined Monday night following a critical meeting at Wike’s Abuja residence. Attendees included former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and PDP National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu.

 

In a communiqué signed by Ortom, the group issued a stern warning that any convention proceeding without addressing their concerns would be considered invalid, emphasizing that “legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.”

 

Key Demands Include:

• Fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states, in compliance with existing court rulings.

• Conduct of a new South-East zonal congress to address internal contestations.

• Full recognition of the South-South congress held in Calabar, which has already been upheld by the courts.

• Immediate conduct of Ekiti LGA congresses to align with judicial directives.

• Opposition to any micro-zoning beyond the general zoning formula adopted by the National Executive Committee.

• Retention of the national chairmanship position in the North-Central zone, consistent with the 2021 arrangement.

 

The stakeholders underscored the importance of returning the party to principles of equity, fairness, and inclusivity as crucial to sustaining PDP’s role as a credible opposition platform.

 

“Unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements,” the communiqué stressed.

“Only transparency and fairness will guarantee a credible convention.”

 

The group cautioned the PDP leadership against ignoring court rulings or sidelining legitimate party members, warning that such actions could plunge the party into yet another debilitating crisis.

 

As the PDP prepares for its convention, these demands present a formidable challenge to party unity and may shape the power dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections.